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| Image source: WikiCommons, photo by: Beatrice Much |
In recent days politicians in Britain have voted in support of legislation allowing gay men and women the right to legally marry. Politicians in the Commons voted 400 to 175, giving a large majority for such a controversial Bill. Although almost half of the
Conservative party and a number of Labour members voted against or abstained,
progress for further equality in Britain has won a landmark result. All that
needs to happen now is for a majority agreement in the House of Lords for the
Bill to pass into law, but this is predicted as unlikely as most members are
against such legislation.
Although the legislation has a
tough road ahead to pass through the House of Lords, at least large sections
from all major parties agree that same sex couples have the right to marry. This vote in the Commons will also promote further debate in Parliament
and in our society on an issue that affects thousands of people.
Such support by British politicians for gay marriage rights and recent meaningful debates in Australia would have not been heard of over 20
years ago. Today, many
countries including France and the United States are also talking about it and bringing the same sex marriage issue to society . Let’s hope this effort can stay on course and that countries such as Britain ,
Australia ,
French and the US
will follow Canada ,
in legally allowing same sex marriages.
